The State of West Virginia offers many college scholarships and grants for its residents. State financial aid programs are administered by College for WV, which is an online hub created by the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System. Below, we include a list of available grant and scholarship opportunities with relevant links.
Before proceeding, it’s important to know one specific thing about most state scholarship and grant programs. Typically, these awards will require the completion of a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. However, it’s also used by states to determine your eligibility for prizes based on financial need. It’s good practice to get an early start on this process.
Additionally, every scholarship award or grant has its own eligibility requirements. Before applying, always read them carefully because the fine print matters. Your level of study, major, GPA, or level of financial need can either qualify or disqualify you for various programs. So, whether you’re a West Virginia high school senior or a current undergraduate student, there are likely opportunities to help you pay for your post-secondary education.
With that said, let’s get to some scholarships for residents of West Virginia.
West Virginia Scholarship Programs
Promise Scholarship
The West Virginia Promise Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. It is given to high school graduates who plan to attend a West Virginia public or private college or university (two- and four-year institutions). To be eligible, students must graduate high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
This award is valued at $5,000, which covers tuition and fees.
WV STEM Scholarship
The West Virginia Engineering, Science, & Technology Scholarship offers financial aid to encourage students to pursue careers in STEM fields. Students must have a 3.0 GPA upon graduating from high school or a cumulative 3.0 GPA after completing two semesters at an accredited post-secondary institution. There is also a work component to this award. Applicants must agree to work in a STEM position for one year in West Virginia for each year the scholarship was received.
The scholarship is valued at $3,000 annually and is renewable for up to four years.
WV Nursing Scholarship Program
The West Virginia Nursing Scholarship Program offers financial aid for nursing education including LPN, RN, master’s, and doctoral programs. In exchange for the scholarship, recipients must agree to a work service obligation in West Virginia. There are other eligibility requirements depending on the specific nursing program of enrollment.
Award amounts vary each year based on the availability of funds.
West Virginia Grant Programs
WV Higher Education Grant
The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program the help students with post-secondary ambitions. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and generally may be used in conjunction with other forms of state, federal and institutional financial aid. The grant may be renewed until the student’s course of study is completed, but may not exceed an additional three academic years beyond the initial award.
Exact award amount is dependent on available funds and level of demonstrated financial need.
West Virginia Invests Grant
The West Virginia Invests Grant is a last-dollar financial aid program. It helps cover tuition costs and mandatory fees for certificate or associate degree programs in high-demand fields.
The grant’s maximum award amount is limited to the total cost of basic tuition and mandatory fees minus other grant or scholarship aid.
Underwood Smith Teaching Scholars
The Underwood-Smith Teaching Scholars Program helps recent high school graduates pursue careers as teachers in math, science, elementary education, or special education.
This is a competitive scholarship for recent high school graduates with a passion for teaching and a history of high academic achievement, community service, and active involvement in extracurricular activities while in high school.
Recipients must agree to teach in a West Virginia public school in an area of critical need for five years following graduation from college.
The scholarship may be used at any eligible West Virginia public or private, non-profit college or university offering West Virginia Board of Education-approved teacher preparation programs in math, science, elementary education, or special education.
The award amount is $10,000 per year, renewable for four years. Award money can be used for the cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and other approved educational expenses.
HEAPS Grant
The Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Grant Program helps students with financial need attend higher education on a part-time basis.
Award amounts vary based on institution and program costs. This award can be renewed.
HEAPS Workforce
The Higher Education Adult Part-Time Student Workforce Development Grant helps students with financial need enroll in a post-secondary certificate, industry recognized credential, or other skill development program in West Virginia.
Eligible students may receive awards of up to $2000 toward tuition, required testing and required supplies not covered by other scholarships and/or grants.
Choose West Virginia Practice Program
The Choose West Virginia Practice Program is a tuition waiver program that incentivizes nonresident West Virginia medical students to remain in West Virginia to practice. Two out of state medical students from each West Virginia medical school are eligible to be awarded each academic year. Students who are awarded will receive a tuition waiver for the differential between in-state and out of state tuition (approximately $30,000). In exchange for the award, students agree to practice at an eligible service site one year for every year they receive the award.
Participants may complete residency and/or fellowship training in West Virginia or in other states. The service obligation begins within six months after the participant completes training. It requires that participants practice at an eligible site one year for each year they receive the award (a maximum of 4 years).
To be eligible for the award, students must:
- Be accepted or enrolled at Marshall University, West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine, or
- West Virginia University in a program leading to a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy.
- Meet institutional requirements for being classified as an out of state student.
- Not be in default of any previous student loan
Although students from any current medical school class year are eligible to apply, medical students who meet the eligibility criteria listed above and who are in their first year of medical school will receive preference.
Health Sciences Services Program
The Health Sciences Service Program is a loan repayment program (not a financial aid scholarship) for health professions students interested in practicing in under-served communities in West Virginia. The program makes approximately 15 awards each academic year to students enrolled in West Virginia healthcare education degree programs.
- $30,000 for medical and dental students.
- $15,000 for students training to become nurse educators, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, physician assistants, clinical psychologists, public health practitioners, and clinical social workers.
Awards are made based on a competitive application process and the recommendations of an advisory committee. Funds are provided to participants once they begin practicing and provide documentation regarding their educational loan balances.
Find More Grants and Scholarships for West Virginia College Students
The financial aid programs above offer support for West Virginia students to pay for college. However, there are more options that you should consider. In particular, there are many private scholarships and grants that may be a good match for your profile.
For West Virginia residents, the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation (GKVF) offers scholarships that are available at the following institutions of higher learning: West Virginia Wesleyan, WVU Institute of Technology, Washington & Lee University, University of Charleston, Roanoke College, Salem International University, and West Virginia State University. Many available scholarships on the GKVF platform are designed to ensure West Virginia students with financial need have the opportunity to pursue post-secondary education.
Furthermore, your school’s guidance counselor, financial aid office, or local library likely have relevant information for various local scholarship funds that may suit your profile. The great thing about these resources is that they offer school-specific or regionally-based prizes that may have less competition. It’s worth a conversation to see if there’s a fit for you.
You can also use our free scholarship finder to help you find scholarship opportunities.
Without question, scholarships and grants provide countless benefits. In addition to helping you take fewer student loans or pay less for university or college, winning money can help open doors for your future. A track record of scholarship awards communicates excellence. So, whether you’re entering the workforce or looking for post-graduate education opportunities, scholarship wins can help you get there. For this reason, it’s good practice to apply, apply, apply!
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